December, 1906 



AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 



383 



The Cult of the Cactus 



By S. Leonard Bastin 



FTER all it must be admitted that Cacti blooms of the Phyllocacti range through all shades of red 

 together with the allied succulents are plants and yellow down to the purest white, while the flowers arc 

 of more than ordinary interest. Always particularly perfect in form. 



quaint in their manner of growth, and ex- The Sea Urchin Cacti or Echinocacti arc remarkable 

 hibiting an amazing range of form in the chiefly on account of their strange shape. Of course in the 

 different varieties, many of the Cacti in ad- 

 dition are productive of the most lovely flowers — blossoms 

 which in form, color, and fragrance often surpass anything 

 that could be imagined. Over and above all, almost without 

 exception, Cacti are of simple culture, flourishing under con- 

 ditions which any gardener can supply. A cool glass-house, 



Diminutive Cacti. The Smallest Potted Plants in the World 



which in winter is heated to a moderate degree, will meet the 

 needs of these plants in northern latitudes, while in more 

 favored climes they will succeed out in the open. 



It is generally supposed that Cacti, as a whole, flower only 

 at the rarest possible intervals. This is a great mistake, for 

 as a matter of fact many of the varieties blossom annually, 

 and even twice in the year. Of all the groups, the Phyllo- 

 cacti flower more freely than any others. These plants are 

 distinguished by their flattened stems, and as all the species 

 have received a good deal of attention from the florist within 

 recent years there are many splendid varieties now obtainable. 



A Typical Cactus Cutting 



The thanks of all Cactus lovers are due to the late Mr. John 

 Nicolai, a German enthusiast who made it his special care 

 to improve the Phyllocacti. Some idea of this specialist's 

 interest in the matter may be gathered from the fact that 

 when he died recently he left behind him about twelve thou- 

 sand specimens of this particular group. The colors of the 



A Fine Collection of Cacti Including a Splendid 

 Specimen of the Giant Cactus 



different members of the group there is a great diversity, but 

 the general form is somewhat spherical, the plant as a rule 

 being armed with dense masses of prickles. Many Echino- 

 cacti bear gaily colored flowers, but these are scarcely so 

 finely formed as is the case in other groups, as for instance 

 the Epiphyllums. All the kinds of this class are exceedingly 

 floriferous, and bear great masses of bloom, each blossom of 

 which is most elegant in design. 



A Fine Echinocactus 



